Public toilets, parks and gardens to close in Sidmouth

East Devon District Council has decided to close all public toilets, play parks and gardens in Sidmouth after fresh advice from the Government.

Beaches will remain open but signs will be put up reminding beach goers about social distancing.

The gates to Sidmouth's Connaught Gardens will be locked today.

EDDC decided to close these public spaces after new advice from the Government. Here is that advice:

"We are advising those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures."

This group includes those who are:

-aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)

-under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):

-chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis

-chronic heart disease, such as heart failure

-chronic kidney disease

-chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis

-chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple -sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy

-diabetes

-problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed

-a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy

-being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)

-those who are pregnant

Note: there are some clinical conditions which put people at even higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you are in this category, next week the NHS in England will directly contact you with advice about the more stringent measures you should take in order to keep yourself and others safe. For now, you should rigorously follow the social distancing advice in full, outlined below.

People falling into this group are those who may be at particular risk due to complex health problems such as:

-people who have received an organ transplant and remain on ongoing immunosuppression medication

-people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy

-people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia who are at any stage of treatment

-people with severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma (requiring hospital admissions or courses of steroid tablets)

-people with severe diseases of body systems, such as severe kidney disease (dialysis)

What is social distancing?

"Social distancing measures are steps you can take to reduce social interaction between people. This will help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19)."

They are to:

-Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough

-Avoid non-essential use of public transport when possible

-Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more information

-Avoid large and small gatherings in public spaces, noting that pubs, restaurants, leisure centres and similar venues are currently shut as infections spread easily in closed spaces where people gather together.

-Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media

-Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services

-Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is practicable.

We strongly advise you to follow the above measures as much as you can and to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible, particularly if you:

-are over 70

-have an underlying health condition

-are pregnant

"This advice is likely to be in place for some weeks."

If you would like to find out more about how avoid catching or spreading the Coronavirus click here.